BBC: If at first you don't succeed you can try and try.
But eventually, sometimes, failure is what follows.
That now seems the likely outcome of months of talks designed to create a smooth path for the country towards a different future - a deal that, in theory, would ease the junction from membership of a huge trading bloc to a world outside.
There is a chance still that a couple of frantic days could result in a change.
The prime minister could decide that after all, the potential disruption of no deal is just too great to risk.
The EU president might be able to persuade continental leaders to budge, as they gather in Brussels today.
But the chance of reassessing and refreshing the efforts seem now remote. » | Laura Kuenssberg, Political editor | Thursday, December 10, 2020
Brexit: 'Strong possibility' of no trade deal with EU - PM »
